How the Etsy search algorithm works
Ranking in the Etsy algorithm is one of the easiest ways to get traffic on the platform. So if you're not ranking for your target search terms yet, it's well worth a dive into your stats page to figure out what's going on.
Unfortunately, there isn't always an easy answer to “Why isn't my Etsy listing showing up?”
Let's talk a little more about what factors are included in the search algorithm on Etsy so you have a better idea of what your shop needs to focus on to improve your stats.
What affects your rankings
While this isn't an exhaustive list of factors included in the algorithm, the following elements are things that you can edit or work on to help your search placement.
Shop Policies
Filling out your about section and shop policies is a great way to get a little boost in the algorithm. Etsy wants to show buyers shops that look professional, so they give your shop a small bump up in the algorithm if you have yours filled out.
Keywords
Keywords are one of the most important things that any Etsy shop owner can focus on to improve their organic search rankings. It's important to use keywords that buyers are searching for, that aren't too competitive, and that describe your product appropriately.
You can research keywords on Etsy or through third-party keyword research tools like eRank, Marmalead, or others.
Listing Formatting
After you find the perfect keywords, you want to make sure that you format your listings properly to help Etsy rank your products faster.
Make sure to use proper punctuation, avoid using the same titles in multiple listings, and duplicate your titles to your tags to be more relevant for your search terms.
Product Lines
Etsy is unique as a platform in that quantity matters when it comes to ranking for your target keywords.
A shop with one listing targeting a specific keyword phrase will have a much harder time ranking for that particular phrase than a shop that has 10, 20, or 50 listings targeting those keywords.
Unfortunately, I can't give you a specific number of new listings that you'll need to have a full product line as it varies by keyword because of varying demand and saturate levels.
Click here to learn more about determining how many listings you'll need in a product line.
Shipping
In 2024, Etsy updated the algorithm to include shipping prices. Listings with shipping prices under $6 are prioritized in the algorithm. There are some exceptions to this, however. Click here to learn more about this update.
Listing Quality Score
Your listing quality score on Etsy is a measure of how likely customers are to purchase and be happy with their purchase from your shop.
While we don't have the exact percentage, your score includes:
Previous sales history
Listing reviews
Listing conversion rate
Search traffic
Overall, the more customers visit, favorite, purchase, and review your products, the higher your listing quality score is.
Something to take note of here: Etsy knows when your listings are getting real favorites and when they aren't. So don't spend time playing follow for follow or favorite games with other Etsy sellers as these won't help your shop. In fact, they can even hurt your organic rankings if they lower your conversion rate enough.
Instead, focus on improving these numbers organically through your SEO and customer service.
Processing Times
While processing times aren't directly included in the algorithm, they can affect how your listing is showing up in a variety of ways.
The first is through search filters. Buyers are able to use the filters in Etsy search results to remove listings that will arrive later than they want. While this doesn't necessarily affect your rankings, it does affect your visibility on the platform.
Longer processing times can also affect your organic search results through your conversion rate. If a buyer clicks on your listing only to find that it won't be delivered on time, they're likely to leave and find another listing to purchase. That lowers your conversion rate and can lower your rankings.
While there are products that can't be shipped quickly no matter what you do (resin products for example), the good news is that your competition is facing the same challenges so you aren't up against any challenges for your niche specific search terms.
How to check your rankings
Before you make any changes to your listings, you'll want to check to see if they're visible for your target search words. To do this, use a private or incognito browser to search for your listings. You can also use a third-party keyword research tool like eRank or Marmalead.
Using a private browser is important when checking to see if your products are indexed and visible in searches because each Etsy search is personalized based on your previous interactions with the platform. So your own listings are more likely to show up in search results than they are for buyers with a different search history on the marketplace.
What to do next
If you have listings in your Etsy shop right now that aren't showing up for your target keywords, your next step is to figure out the reason why. It could be a problem with your keyword choices, listing formatting, product lines, or all three.
Then create a strategy for those issues. Add new products to saturate the keywords in your shop, research your keywords to make sure they're the best choice for your Etsy shop, and fix formatting errors like punctuation mistakes. Make sure to use all of your tags and focus on long-tail keywords.
Have questions about keyword research, listing optimization, or product line planning? Click here to sign up for my free masterclass. They are held live a few times a year and by joining the waitlist you'll get the first chance to save your seat.
